Tips For Maintaining Your European Car

If you own a European car, you might thoroughly enjoy driving but not really enjoy maintaining it. This is because, since the cars are made overseas, it can be more difficult to find replacement parts in a short period of time, resulting in subsequent repairs taking longer than you would prefer. Here are some tips for maintaining your European cars so that you don't have to deal with getting new parts.

1. Check the Octane Rating on Gas

European cars tend to require gas that is a different octane rating than what you might find in the United States. The problem is if you put the wrong gas in your car, your engine will have to work harder to actually get your car to move and will put more stress on various parts of the car that are unable to handle it. This can result in parts of your car breaking down more quickly over time and costing you a fortune in repairs.

Make sure that you are using fuel with the right octane rating by talking to the manufacturer of your vehicle. The manufacturer should be able to recommend different types of fuels to you that will not damage the car.

2. Check the Transmission More Often

A part of the car that can wear out quickly, especially if the car has a stick shift, is the transmission. If you purchase a car that was made in the United States, you likely don't have to have to check the transmission fluid until you have driven at least 30,000 miles. If you are driving a car that was not made in the US and will therefore experience longer wait times for transmission parts, you should consider checking your transmission every 20,000 to 30,000 miles. This might be annoying, but it will help you ensure that your car's transmission does not need to be replaced. You should do a thorough servicing of the transmission regularly as well.

3. Pay More Attention to Alignment

If you are driving a sporty European car, be sure that you pay close attention to the alignment because if you drive with poor alignment and damage something, it will be difficult for you to get the parts you need. Regular European cars can have their alignment checked once every two or three years, whereas sporty European cars should have their alignment checked more often. Being slightly more vigilant about your alignment after hitting any large bumps or potholes will serve you well in terms of European car maintenance.

For more information, talk to a company that specializes in European car maintenance, like Sid's Auto 2.